Marks and Spencer was originally founded in 1884 and is known and loved for its high quality clothing, homeware, accessories and food. Recently, the retailer has been dealing with a cyber attack
A Marks and Spencer shopper has urged fellow customers to check their receipts after shopping at the high street favourite and spotting a pricing error on hers. The retailer is still dealing with the ramifications of a “cyber incident” that kicked off in April and initially seriously impacted customers’ ability to make contactless payments, while also affecting the company’s processing of click-and-collect orders across multiple UK stores.
In a bid to get things under control, M&S bosses took the dramatic measure of temporarily halting all online orders. On April 22, M&S chief executive Stuart Machin apologised to customers via a statement.
The CEO said the company was “managing” the issue but, at the time, it was still “necessary” to implement a series of “small changes” to “store operations” on a temporary basis until the situation was rectified.
Stores remained open and, originally, the app and website were still fully operational but days later, on April 25, the company stopped taking online orders while the issue remained ongoing.
The disruption was expected to continue throughout June and July. But now, customers are able to order online once again.
On June 10, John Lyttle, managing director of fashion, home and beauty at M&S confirmed the much longed-for news in a statement shared on social media.
The director said: “We are bringing back online shopping this week. A selection of our best selling fashion ranges will be available for home delivery to England, Scotland and Wales from today.
“More of our fashion, home and beauty products will be added every day and we will resume deliveries to Northern Ireland and Click and Collect in the coming weeks. Thank you sincerely for your support and for shopping with us.”
However, some customers are still convinced things aren’t quite back to normal with the beloved British icon.
One mum popped in store to pick up a few items and quickly spotted the price she saw on the shelves hadn’t been reflected on her receipt.
On Mumsnet, in a post titled “M&S, check your till receipt”, she explained: “Bought a food item yesterday and the price charged at the till (£3.75) was higher than that shown on the shelf edge ticket (£3.50).”
Of course, pricing blunders can happen at all stores but the mum was keen to encourage shoppers to be vigilant in the wake of Marks and Spencer’s cyber incident.
She added: “The assistant apologised, took off the shelf edge marker and apologised saying that since the cyber attack pricing and delivery have been a problem.”
In the comments section, people shared their thoughts. One person wasn’t concerned at all and said: “These things can happen in any shop! I’ve had it happen in other major retailers.”
Another quipped: “This is an everyday occurrence in French supermarkets. I think they make their prices up on the day.”
In a follow up comment, the mum agreed that such pricing errors can happen in any store and added: “That’s why it’s good to check receipts, but be especially careful with M&S until they completely resolve their issues.”
Marks & Spencer has been approached for comment.